Written Answers Nos. 45-54
45. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met the Taxi Advisory Committee since coming to office to discuss the main issues in need of reform in the taxi industry. [6098/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
The Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles, commonly referred to as the Taxi Advisory Committee (TAC), was established under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 and continues in being under Section 72(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to perform the functions assigned to it under the 2013 Act.
Among the functions of the Taxi Advisory Committee are to advise the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles (SPSVs) and their drivers and to advise me, as Minister, on policy relevant to SPSVs and their drivers. As I previously advised the Deputy in reply to his Question No. 333 on 2nd February 2017, I have not met with the Taxi Advisory Committee and nor has the Committee requested a meeting with me since my appointment. However, it is my intention to meet with the Committee and my office is in the process of making the necessary arrangements with the Chair of the Committee.
46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to encourage further growth and development in the tourism sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure maximum utilisation of employment potential throughout the industry; the extent to which air and sea travel can be utilised in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6042/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTourism continues to contribute significantly to Ireland's economic recovery. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures for 2016 show that there were over 9.584 million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 10.9% on 2015. With regard to revenue, the most recent CSO Quarterly Tourism and Travel publication shows that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding carrier receipts) in the first nine months of 2016 amounted to over €3.647 billion, an increase of 9.4% compared to the same 9-month period in 2015. I am delighted that Irish tourism has had a record breaking year in 2016. This has been achieved largely due to the hard work of the tourism industry with the assistance of the tourism agencies. Both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland will continue to ensure Ireland is highly attractive for tourists and the agencies anticipate another good year for tourism in 2017.
The longer-term tourism goals, as outlined in the Government's Tourism Policy Statement are that by 2025: revenue from overseas visitors would increase to €5 billion, net of inflation; we would have 10 million visits to Ireland in that year; and employment in the tourism sector would reach 250,000 compared to around 220,000 at present. In the event that these targets are achieved ahead of schedule, my Department, in collaboration with the tourism agencies, would work to ensure that Ireland's tourism sector would continue to grow in a manner that would be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
In terms of access, as an island destination, direct, convenient and competitive access services are critical to achieving tourism growth. There is a direct correlation between access and growth in visitor numbers. Tourism Ireland works with airports, airlines and ferry operators to identify opportunities and 'case-make' for new or extended air and sea services from key markets. Supportive Government policies on Air Travel Tax and the 9% VAT rate have helped to foster continuing expansion in air services to Ireland and increase our overall competitiveness.
A specific allocation of €1m was provided to Tourism Ireland in 2016, with a similar allocation in 2017 for additional focused co-operative marketing activity to be undertaken, to encourage visits to the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East via points of entry outside of Dublin.
47. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the role of heavy and light rail transport in Ireland's efforts to meet the EU 2030 emissions targets; the steps his Department is taking to ensure rail transport plays a key role into the future of transport policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6104/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland faces a significant challenge to meet its international greenhouse gas reduction commitments. Currently, Ireland's transport demand and emissions are increasing, with approximately three quarters of all journeys made by private cars accounting for over 55% of our transport emissions. Increasing modal shift away from cars and towards public transport and active travel will play a vital role in our national mitigation effort. Accordingly, I welcome the fact that passenger growth on public transport has risen in 2016 for the fourth consecutive year with an increase of almost 10m trips.
Rail plays an important role in meeting increased passenger demand and also providing an energy-efficient mode of transport. Electrified rail use, in particular, is capable of achieving low emissions through utilising renewable sources of energy. Considerable progress has been achieved in increasing capacity on the light and heavy rail networks. For instance, the Luas Cross City project is scheduled for completion before the end of the year and it is estimated that the new line will add an extra 8 to 10 million journeys per annum on the Luas network. Also, in 2017 we will see an increase in Dart frequency and additional commuter services through the newly-opened Phoenix Park Tunnel.
Rail operators are also playing an active role in emission reductions on existing services, introducing a range of technical measures including automatic engine shutdown, configuring train length to match passenger demand and installing traction control software.
Furthermore, I am committed to the further development of electric fuelled public transport, particularly along high demand routes in the GDA where capacity requirements make such investment cost-effective. We are progressing plans on the New Metro North project which is due to commence construction in 2021; while €82 million has been allocated to the DART Expansion Programme between 2019 and 2022 to begin the extension of the DART line to Balbriggan, and the design and planning of DART services to Maynooth in the west and Hazelhatch in the southwest.
48. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the recent announcement of a €7.5 million funding allocation to the Sallins bypass road project in County Kildare is accurate; the way in which the money will be spent in terms of the tasks included; if further funding will follow in 2017 for the same project, in view of the fact the cost for the three related projects, namely, the Sallins bypass, the Osberstown interchange and the M7 lane widening has been estimated at €110 million; the status of each project; when ground will be broken on each project; the estimated completion date for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5762/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with local authorities.
As regards regional and local roads, responsibility for implementation of improvement projects rests with the relevant local authority which is Kildare County Council in this instance.
It has been agreed that, in the interest of economies of scale and delivery efficiency, the main design and construction elements of the Naas Bypass widening Scheme, Osberstown Interchange and Sallins Bypass Schemes are to be progressed as one construction contract. This contract is at tender at present and Kildare County Council is the contracting authority.
Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the tender process, it is anticipated that construction will start later this year and that the three projects will be concluded on a phased basis over 2019/2020.
As regards financing, both TII and my Department will be making funding available over the construction programme period to meet the State's commitments in relation to these Schemes. In this context my Department has allocated €7.5 million for the Sallins Bypass this year while TII has allocated €13.61 million for the Naas Bypass widening.
49. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has any contact with the NTA on the issuing of bus licences on intercity routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6034/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is the regulator of the bus market in Ireland. Responsibility for the licensing of public bus passenger services was transferred from my Department to the NTA in 2010, under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. Accordingly, all licensing decisions fully rest with the NTA.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have no role in relation to the issuing of bus licenses on any routes, including inter city routes. I have had no contact with the Authority in relation to the issuing of bus licences; I believe it would be inappropriate for me to do so.
On a wider but generally related matter, the Deputy may be aware that the NTA has recently submitted a review of Part 2 of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 to my Department. Part 2 of that Act relates to the operation of the bus licensing regime. The findings of the NTA's review are currently being considered by my Department. The NTA's review is primarily concerned with procedural and compliance issues related to the licensing system and makes recommendations for certain legislative changes that would enable the NTA to deal more efficiently with its bus licensing functions.
Finally, the Deputy may recall that I was recently briefed by the NTA about the overall issue of its statutory powers to ensure continued public transport connectivity regardless of decisions taken by any individual operator. Indeed the NTA has offered Deputies the opportunity for similar briefing; some have availed of that opportunity and I would encourage others to do so. The NTA has given assurances that it can intervene to assess the requirements of public transport services in any rural area, in consultation with local communities, and to establish the best means of providing such services. It has done this in the past and will do so in the future. Accordingly, the NTA will ensure continued public transport connectivity for rural communities.
50. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Navan railway will be proposed and advanced by his Department, in view of the capital expenditure review. [6001/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Navan Rail Link Project was included under the Transport 21 Initiative and was to be developed in two phases. Phase 1 comprised the Dunboyne Rail Line project and involved the reopening of 7.5 km of a railway line running off the Maynooth line, at Clonsilla, to the M3 interchange at Pace, near Dunboyne. This line opened in September 2010 and Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2013 with the opening of Hansfield Station. Phase 2 was to provide for the extension of the Dunboyne line onwards to north Navan. This development together with a number of other transport projects was postponed in 2011 due to the economic and fiscal crisis.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) now has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The NTA published its Transport Strategy for the GDA for the period 2016-2035 last year following its approval by my predecessor. All the main transport corridors in the GDA were examined in the Strategy including the Navan to City Centre Corridor. The NTA concluded that based on current population and employment forecasts, the level of travel demand between Navan, Dunshaughlin and various stations to the city centre is insufficient to justify the development of a high-capacity rail link at this time. Instead it is proposed that an enhanced bus service will be provided along the corridor in conjunction with the development of a bus hub in Navan. This review of the Capital Plan does not change this position.
The NTA has indicated that the position will be reassessed as part of the next review of the GDA Transport Strategy and this will take account of the level of development in the catchment area over the next six years. The NTA has indicated that the corridor identified for a rail link to Navan should be protected from development intrusion in the meantime. If the review of the Transport Strategy concludes that a rail link is justified at that point, funding can be pursued in the context of the development of future Capital Investment Plans.
51. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the results of the review of the Tower Road-Piltown Junction on the N24 conducted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, will be published; when funding will be provided to TII to commence works on the safety measures recommended in the review results; if his Department is in direct contact with Kilkenny County Council to ensure the process of appointing consultants to undertake a review of the Tower Road-Piltown Junction on the N24 is concluded as efficiently as possible and that all necessary funding is made available to it to complete the process as efficiently as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 3667/17 of 26 January also regarding the N24, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within the budget available to it, it is for TII to decide on allocations to individual projects.
TII has advised that consultants have been appointed by Kilkenny County Council, which is the road authority for the area, to undertake a review of road safety at this location. As part of this review, traffic count data and speed surveys have recently been carried out and I understand that consultations are taking place between the consultants and representatives of Kilkenny County Council and An Garda Síochána to review the collision history and identify any appropriate measures to improve safety at the junction.
I understand that the provision of funding for improvement works at this location will be considered by TII following receipt of any proposals by the Council when the review process is completed.
52. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the decision to allow the DART underground railway order to lapse was a mistake that could ultimately waste millions of euro; the progress being made on redesigning a lower cost solution to the tunnel portion; and whether this solution involves the removal of the proposed station at Pearse Street. [6096/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question number 3, Dáil Question no. 31, on this matter which I answered earlier today.
53. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress being made to develop the Ireland’s lakelands brand, with specific reference to the Ballina and Killaloe area as a separate proposition to sit alongside the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5760/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. Even though the department is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, such as the development of a potential Lakelands brand I have met with Fáilte Ireland officials to be updated on the progress of the Lakelands brand and I am expecting a further update in the near future. This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
I have also referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
54. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to increase PSO levels to Bus Éireann; the engagement he has had with management and unions since the motion in Dáil Éireann on 31 January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5889/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I clearly stated in last week's Dáil debates, I am committed toward increasing PSO funding as Budgetary resources allow. That commitment is evidenced by the 11% increase I secured in Budget 2017 for PSO funding generally and the 21% increase in PSO funding allocated specifically to Bus Éireann last year when compared with 2015.
The Deputy can be assured that I will continue to advocate increased PSO funding during this year's Budgetary process and my Department will work closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) during the year in determining what are the likely funding requirements in respect of public transport services in 2018.
Of course as the Deputy will agree, any taxpayer funding advanced should seek to achieve value for money. In that respect the NTA has an important statutory role in allocating funding to individual operators and monitoring and reporting upon compliance with the performance targets as entered into with those operators under the relevant public service contracts.
During our debate in the Dáil last week and indeed my appearance the following day before the Joint Oireachtas Committee, I called upon both management and unions to enter into immediate discussions without any pre-conditions. I am clear that the difficult issues Bus Éireann faces can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees and I encourage both sides to engage constructively on the matter. The State is ready to assist through either the Workplace Relations Commission or the Labour Court and I again urge both parties to seize the opportunity to begin those discussions.
